LONDON, Aug. 16, 2025 — Ulrika Jonsson is marking her 58th birthday with confidence, reflection and a renewed sense of purpose.
The television presenter and columnist shared a candid birthday selfie with fans this week, celebrating not just another year of life, but also more than 12 months free from alcohol.
The Swedish-born star, who rose to fame in the 1990s as a host of Gladiators and Shooting Stars, posed in a yellow lace bra with the simple caption “58 today.” With her hair styled and make-up kept natural, she credited her glow to healthier habits since giving up drinking.
A Fresh Start
Jonsson has been vocal about her decision to quit alcohol and the dramatic changes it has brought. In June, she revealed that she had reached the one-year mark without drinking — a milestone that once felt out of reach.
She admitted that, at the height of her drinking, she would sometimes black out and wake without memory of the night before. Those episodes, she said, left her ashamed and anxious.
But marking her first sober year, Jonsson struck a different tone. “No fanfare, no medal, no trophy.
The journey goes on,” she wrote in a candid post, adding that sobriety had allowed her to reclaim her self-esteem and her health.
Before and After
To illustrate her transformation, Jonsson shared side-by-side photos — one from her drinking days and one from the present. The difference, she said, was not only visible but deeply felt.
“Who nudged me in the right direction; who made me laugh and helped me shed the crippling shame,” she wrote, crediting her circle of friends and supporters for standing by her.
Family at the Centre
Jonsson is a mother of four — Cameron, 30, Bo, 25, Martha, 20, and Malcolm, 16 — and has often spoken about balancing her family life with her long career in British media. Turning 58, she suggested, is less about age and more about perspective.
“My sobriety will continue to be my priority,” she wrote. “Turns out it is possible to teach old dogs new tricks.”
Embracing Confidence
While the birthday selfie grabbed attention for its boldness, Jonsson said her decision to share it was rooted in confidence, not provocation. After decades in the public eye, she has often pushed back against criticism of how women present themselves as they age.
For her, the photo was as much about self-acceptance as celebration — a message to her followers that life can begin anew at any stage.
Looking Back on Fame
Jonsson has never shied away from discussing her career highs and lows. Beyond her television work, she became a familiar face in the 1990s and 2000s for appearing in men’s lifestyle magazines at the peak of their popularity.
Far from regretting those appearances, she has described them as empowering. Writing in her Sun column, she said she felt a sense of “pride and fun” during those photoshoots.
No Regrets
“As a feminist, had I felt wronged because the pictures would undoubtedly bring on a hot flush in some filthy-minded men? The answer has always been no,” she explained.
“Like many other women who were asked to appear in these magazines, I felt a sense of control. Featuring in these magazines was a job, like many other shoots. It was a win-win.”
Reframing the Narrative
Jonsson said those moments in the spotlight were often misinterpreted by critics, but she insists they were choices she made on her terms. For her, the exposure was a career opportunity rather than an exploitation.
Her reflections come at a time when attitudes toward women in media — particularly around body image and empowerment — are being reassessed. Jonsson has positioned herself as someone who took control of her narrative long before such conversations became mainstream.
Age Without Apology
Now in her late fifties, Jonsson has shown little interest in conforming to traditional expectations of ageing. Her social media presence is unapologetic, often sparking debate but also resonating with followers who see her as proof that confidence has no age limit.
She acknowledges that criticism comes with the territory, but she remains undeterred. “It’s my life, my body, and my choice,” she has written in past posts.
Health Over Image
Though she still attracts headlines for her photos, Jonsson insists her focus is less about appearance and more about health. Sobriety, she said, has given her clarity and stability that no amount of make-up or styling ever could.
That shift in priorities, she suggests, is what fuels her sense of renewal.
A Continuing Journey
Marking her birthday with both celebration and reflection, Jonsson made clear that her story is still unfolding. The milestone of 58, she suggested, is just one chapter in a longer journey toward self-acceptance and wellness.
Her message to followers was simple: reinvention is possible, even later in life, and even after setbacks.
A Public and Private Life
Jonsson’s openness about her struggles has been met with both admiration and scrutiny, but she maintains that transparency is part of who she is. From her television work to her essays, she has built a career on speaking frankly — even when it invites criticism.
By sharing both her lows and her highs, she has created a candid public persona that has endured for decades.
The Takeaway
As she steps into another year, Jonsson’s celebration is less about glamour and more about resilience. For a star who has lived much of her life in the public eye, the decision to share such a personal milestone was a reminder of the authenticity that has kept her relevant.
For her, 58 is not just a number — it’s a marker of survival, growth, and the promise of more to come.
